Video:Rex Ryan tells Jeremy Kerley to 'step it up' Rex Ryan tells Jeremy Kerley to 'step it up' as he talks about his strained hamstring injury. Rex spoke about this at his dauly press conference after day 2 of training camp. (Video by William Perlman/The Star-Ledger)

Kerley did not practice today, and Ryan said he has a hamstring injury that could sideline him about a week. But the Jets coach also took the opportunity to ask for more from Kerley, who had a strong rookie campaign in which he stepped into the No. 3 receiver role.

"Jeremy needs to step it up, because quite honestly, I was a little disappointed with Jeremy in the offseason," Ryan said. "He's got to pick up this system, this new system. He's got to put the time into it."

Ryan went on to call Kerley "one of the hardest-working guys I've seen." He referenced an example from Kerley's rookie year, when general manager Mike Tannenbaum challenged Kerley to catch 250 balls a day, and he did it. He then would follow up by catching 100 punts.

"I know the 'want to' is there," Ryan said. "We've got to make sure we dial in, make sure the mental part of it is there. It is unfortunate, he had a setback (physically). We have to be careful with it, we don’t need this thing to be a recurring thing. We've got to get healthy and move on."

Kerley was slowed by a hamstring in the spring. Ryan did not specify if it is the same leg.

Kerley has ideal size and speed for the slot position, so the Jets want to use him there. If he does not progress?

"Santonio clearly can be a slot receiver; you can put 'Tone' anywhere," Ryan said. "He can do it. And we've got guys pushing for those things. If that was the case, you can put Chaz outside, you can put Pat Turner outside. So there are different things. But clearly you want Jeremy to be that guy. He did a good job for us last year as a slot receiver. He's got the makeup of a good slot (receiver) -- a guy that is tough, a guy that can catch the football, and obviously he has unusual change of direction."

++ Ryan also weighed in on another receiver, Holmes, in a response to a question about Ryan's recent playful ribs about Holmes not being too popular.

"Is he perfect? No," Ryan said. "There's not one person in our locker room that’s perfect. Let things go behind us. Let's judge him for how he is right now. We had a poor year, there is no doubt. 'Tone,' myself, Mark (Sanchez), all of us, we want to have a better year this year, and we are determined to do so."

++ LB Demario Davis (hamstring) is not yet on the verge of returning to the practice field, Ryan said. He again declined to comment on T Jeff Otah, because the Jets' trade with Carolina is still contingent on Otah passing his physical by July 31.